The 26th Annual Newman Convocation and Liturgy of the Holy Spirit took place at St. Joseph's University Church on Sunday, honoring a faculty member as well as the UB alumni, family and members of the Catholic Church who perished on Sept. 11.
The convocation is held once a year as a way for members of the UB community to come together and begin the school year with prayer. It is also when UB's Newman Center presents its annual Newman Award to a UB faculty member who demonstrates academic and spiritual leadership.
This year, in addition to the mass and presentation of the Newman Award, a flag that flew over Ground Zero was presented to UB as part of a remembrance ceremony to honor those UB alumni and St. Joseph's parishioners who were victims of the attacks.
UB alumnus and New York City Fire Department Captain Stephen Spall presented the flag to UB President William R. Greiner, who received it on behalf of the UB community.
"This flag is a reminder of the memory of those members of the UB family who died in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers in New York City on Sept. 11," Spall said. "Our government has declared that the victims of the terrorist attacks are equivalent to the military, as they have died in honor while serving their country. The American flags were authorized to be utilized in the recovery effort and to cover any remains found."
According to Spall, some of the flags from the site will be given to members of the community who have lost their loved ones in the attacks to offer a sense of closure to the grieving process.
"Presenting this flag to UB is my way of bringing goodwill back to the community," said Spall.
"Today's ceremony was very moving, especially when Stephen Spall spoke about his experiences during the rescue efforts," said Reverend Jacob C. Ledwon, pastor of St Joseph's University Church. "Having the flag presented here today adds that extra special depth to the university. It makes the connection between what we do here as a university to the world outside."
The congregation also witnessed a remembrance ceremony to honor each of the 11 UB alumni who died on Sept. 11. As a mark of respect, they observed a moment of silence and reflection after each name was announced.
"It feels good to be a part of the UB community, as the people here are nice," said Jean Claude Petit, a sophomore social sciences major. "The mass, especially when Captain Spall spoke and when the names of the alumni were being read out, was very touching. I'm not a Catholic but I just wanted to feel a sense of belonging by coming to church today."
Directly following the mass was the presentation of this year's Newman Award to Mary Anne Rokitka, assistant dean for biomedical undergraduate education in the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
"Dr. Rokitka has received so many awards that I shan't attempt to list out all of them today," said Dr. William C. Barba, director of higher education graduate programs. "Not only is she a recipient of the SUNY Chancellor's award for excellence in teaching, but she's also among the Who's Who of America's Best Teachers."
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
